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Marble Lions 2026 + Barrel-aged Marble Lions 2026

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An imperial stout finished on peanut butter, bananas and vanilla beans — inspired by Elvis Presley's favourite sandwich. The name comes from the two marble lions Presley placed on the front steps of Graceland in 1957. At 12 percent, the first in a range where Side Project brings its layering of adjuncts to imperial stouts.

ABV
12%
Bitterness
Very bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
dark40
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
nuttyvanillabanana
nutty
vanilla
banana
roasted
chocolate
dark fruit
Aroma
The nose leads with toasted and roasted grain, followed by prominent peanut butter and rich vanilla bean notes that dominate the profile.
not found:hoppy,caramel,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Marble Lions 2026 + Barrel-aged Marble Lions 2026

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany to near-black in the glass, reflecting the high SRM of 40. The beer presents opaque clarity with a dense, tan head that builds generously and maintains moderate lacing down the sides of the glass. Carbonation appears restrained, appropriate for the imperial stout's weight and complexity.

deep mahoganyopaquedense tan headrestrained carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with toasted and roasted grain, followed by prominent peanut butter and rich vanilla bean notes that dominate the profile. Dark fruit esters emerge beneath—plum and raisin—while a subtle banana note weaves through the mid-palate aromatics. The overall impression is dessert-like and decadent, with minimal hop character and a faint warm alcohol vapour at the edges.

roasted grainpeanut buttervanilla beandark fruitbanana

◐ Taste

Entry is full-bodied and smooth, with layered nutty and vanilla flavours that coat the palate immediately. Mid-palate develops rich chocolate and roasted malt backbone, complemented by banana and subtle dark fruit notes; the sweetness is pronounced but not cloying. At 12% ABV, the alcohol is present but well-integrated, contributing to a warming boozy character without sharp heat.

full-bodiednuttyvanillachocolatesmooth warmth

◑ Finish

The finish is long and lingering, dominated by peanut butter and vanilla that persist on the palate and in the aftertaste. Residual sweetness and a soft roasted dryness lend balance, with the boozy warmth fading gradually over several minutes.

long finishpeanut butter persistencesweet residue
88
hopIQ score
Aroma
87
Taste
90
Appearance
85
Finish
87
Serve at 13–16°C

Slightly warmer than you might expect. 10–13°C lets the roasted malt, chocolate and coffee notes open up fully.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Can be cellared 2–5 years. Develops dark fruit, leather and port-like complexity with age.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Marble Lions 2026 + Barrel-aged Marble Lions 2026

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About Imperial Stout

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Imperial Stout?

Stouts are dark ales with roasted barley character, 4–8% ABV and IBU 25–45. Expect coffee, dark chocolate and toast flavors with a creamy body and dry finish.

Finding a similar Imperial Stout

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same nutty, vanilla, banana character as Marble Lions 2026 + Barrel-aged Marble Lions 2026 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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